The new year is kicking off with a celestial feature: the Wolf Moon will light up the sky as the final supermoon visible until late 2026, astronomers say.

The full moon will reach peak illumination at 2:03 a.m. early Saturday, appearing larger and brighter than an average full moon, according to National Geographic. During a supermoon, the moon can look up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than usual.

Best time to see the Wolf Moon

The moon will be visible all night Friday into early Saturday, but the most eye-catching views typically come just after sunset and around sunrise, when the moon sits low on the horizon.

According to NASA, the moon often looks unusually large near the horizon — an optical effect known as the moon illusion. Its low angle can also give it a striking orange glow as moonlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere.

The January full moon rises in the northeast Friday evening and sets in the west Saturday morning.

Meteor shower meets moonlight

This weekend’s supermoon coincides with the Quadrantid meteor shower, one of the year’s strongest displays. However, the bright moonlight will make many meteors harder to see.

The shower peaks late Friday into early Saturday, with the best viewing window from late Saturday night through dawn Sunday. While faint streaks may be washed out, the Quadrantids are known for producing bright fireballs that can still cut through the moonlight.

No telescope needed

Unlike meteor showers or eclipses, the supermoon is easy to enjoy almost anywhere — even in cities with heavy light pollution. No special equipment is required.

For photos, experts recommend capturing the moon near the horizon and including foreground elements like buildings, trees, or mountains to show scale.

After this weekend’s Wolf Moon, skywatchers will need patience: another supermoon won’t return until November 2026, making tonight’s lunar event a standout start to the new year.

Source: KTLA News
--Agencies